Nuclear reactor control device



. 'with temperature under certain conditions.

This invention relates generally to devices'for controlling the reactivity of nuclear reactors, and more particu- U i d S ate Pat t 9 .tainer entirely within the core so that an increase in the larly has to do with devices inserted into reactor cores neutron production rates and hence the reactivity of reactors. .The invention is directed specificallyv to the to absorb neutrons produced therein so as to control the provision of a device which is self-actinginresponse to temperature changes in the reactor core'to increase or decrease its neutron absorption capacity, with the result that the device has the effect of increasing the negative temperature coefficient of reactivity of a nuclear chain reactor.

In general, nuclear reactors are characterized as having a reactivity dependence or association with reaction temperature, so that their reaction rates increase or decrease with rises in temperature. For example, the recreases with temperature as a result of moderator exvpansion and escape of neutrons,rwhereas the reactivity of small-size, so-called fast breeder reactors increases a This reacti vity dependence on temperature is known and can be expressed mathematically for purposes of computation as :the temperature coefiicient of reactivity, which is nega- "tive for stable reactors such as the water-moderated type, and is positive for unstable reactors.

Most reactors have normally negative temperature coeflicients; however, there are certain eifects which change the temperature coeificients of reactivity of stable reactors to less negative values, tending to make such reactors less stable,

and it is found that reactors having small negative temperature coeflicients are unstable to rapid load changes. Since unstable reactors are dangerous from the standpoint of radioactive contamination and possible explosion,

' 'it is desirable to artificially increase the negative temperature coeflicient of reactivity, or in other words to decrease the rate of neutron production in the core when its temperature and neutron production rates increase beyond desired values.

In the past artificial controls used for the above purposes have generally comprised solid control rods made of neutron absorbent material, together with auxiliary temperature sensing devices operating electrical circuitry and mechanical actuators which cause the rods to be inserted into or removed from reactor cores, such systems being rather complex in their construction and operation filling the above need, consists essentially of a vapor activity of properly proportioned moderated reactors detron production rate in the core, the absorber being in other than vapor phase communicating with the vapor phase in the container and receiving heat produced as a result of neutron absorption independent of the vapor phase neutron absorption. The effect of the containers insertion into the core upon the reactivity thereof is approximately the same as the eifect of a void of equal volume; but in addition, the vapor in the containeri acts I to absorb neutron flux in the core to control the rate of neutron production therein. As the vapor pressure increases with rising core temperature, the concentration of the vapor molecules or atoms within the core increases; thereby increasing the over-all poison cross-section, ofthe reactor core so as to reduce its reactivity,

The invention further contemplates locating the concore neutron flux causes an increase inthe neutron absorber material, resulting in anincrease in the temperature of the absorber material. Thus, with the absorber comprising a substance, the vapor pressure of which increases with the temperature, the vapor con'centration'of {wise the absorber would become completelyvaporized at a core temperature above which the, reactor could not be controlled by increasing vapor density.

Another form of the invention consists in locating that portionof the container enclosing the other than vapor phase component of the absorber in contact 'with the coolant flowing from the reactor outside the core, so that heat generated by neutron absorption in the core or the coolant flowing therein is transmitted to that absorber phase. In most forms, the other than vapor phase component of the absorber will comprise a liquid; however, the invention contemplates the use of substances in solid phase which sublime in response to heat reception.

Inasmuch as the invention is broadly useful inconnection with many different types of reactors having different possible core geometry, different sizes and quantities of neutron absorbent vapor containers can beinserted into the cores, depending upon their arrangement I, and construction, with the purpose in mind to approach 'so as 'to increase the risk of malfunction or failure. v Since the'control of a reactor is so important, a need ,fhas developed for a simple device not dependentupon the operation ofiexternal electrical and mechanicalcomponents forachieving desired increased neutron absorp- 'tion in response to temperature increase in the reactor 7 core. I j

' a The present invention, which is contemplated as fillin the design of the core and containers an over-all efiect in operation such that the core can betreated as homogeneous as distinguished from heterogeneous, thereby de creasing the' peak to average neutron flux level and increasing the average power level of the reactor.

With respect to the substances that may be used in the containers to absorb neutrons whilein vapor phase, the vapor pressure characteristics of cadmium, cadmium oxide, cadmium bromide, cadmium chloride, cadmium iodide and cadmium fluoride are such that they may readily be utilized, and it is contemplated that other neutron absorbing substances having similar vapor pressure, characteristics are also usable. It is suggested that cadmium or cadmium iodide be used Where the maximum! avera e core temperature isless than 1-800" F.; whereas, for extremely high temperatures, cadmium oxide, cadmium bromide, cadmium chloride and cadmium fluoride are more desirable in view of their vapor pressure characteristics. The containers which are tubular'in form should be constucted of relatively nonneutron absorbing materials such as' zirconium or tungsten and alloys thereof." a V V 1 p These and other features and objects of theinverition, as well as the details of anallustrative embodiment, will Patented Apr. .11, 1961- preferably but not necessarily :the core; and

neutron absorbers are contacted by reactor coolant outside the core.

In Fig. l the core of a nuclear chain reactor has an approximate square shape in horizontal cross section and is cylindrical about vertical axis 11, although it is shown in this form merely for purposes of illustration in view of the many diiferen't possible core geometries. The actively reacting core contains neutrons produced by chain 'nuclear reaction of the fissionable material core content,

the neutron density or flux in general being more concentrated at and near the core center 100 and reduced near the boundaries of the core. I

Inserted in tubular voids in the core are a number of sealed tubular containers filled with material having high capacity for absorbing neutrons, the material being in vapor and other than vapor phases, and the tubes constructed of zirconium or tungsten or alloys thereof.

The neutron absorber in vapor phase is shown at 16 within the upper portion of each tube closer to core center, whereas a reservoir of the absorber in other than vapor phase is shown at 17 in the lower portion of the tube farther from the center 100. The pressure of vapor 16 is determined by the temperature of the core'and specifically the temperature of the phase 17 of the absorber in turndetermined by its rate of neutron absorption. Thus, the concentration of the vapor phase molecules or "atoms is controlled by the temperature of phase 17, said concentration increasing with temperature to efiect an increase in neutron absorption and hence a decrease in core reactivity and temperature, establishing reactor stability. The reservoir end of the tube is placed near the core boundary so as to reduce its greater poisoning effect on the entire core, the lessened poisioning resulting from the fact that the neutron flux at the reservoir is at a much lower level that at points nearer the core center.

Furthermore, the tubes extend vertically so as to drain the typically liquid phase 17 condensate to the bottom of the tube in core region 14, and also to locate the vapor phase 16 in the upper portion of the tube closer to the 'core center than the other than vapor phase 17.

A suitable insulating layer 18 is shown surrounding the upper portion of each tubular container to maintain the upper portion of the tube walls at a higher temperature than the reservoir of the non-vapor phase of the absorbing material, preventing condensation of vapor on the Warmer container walls, the tube walls enclosing the "eservoir 17 being directly contacted by the coolant in the reactor, it being understood that coolant flows generally throughout the core from entrance 21 to exit 21' The insulating layer 18 may comprise a material such as aluminum oxide or other material depending upon the reactor core environment.

The proper temperature distribution necessary to prevent condensation on the container wall may also be accomplished by a reactor coolant arrangement designed to cool the walls surrounding phase 16 to a lesser degree than the walls surround ing phase 17.

While only two tubular containers are shown in Fig. t, it is contemplated that a sufiicient number of tubes may be provided in relation to the core geometry that from the standpoint of the amount of neutron flux subject to absorption by the 'vapor in the tubes the reactor core approaches homogeneity as respects its'predicted highly increased negative temperature coefiicient of reactivity.

Where the maximum average core temperature is less than 1800 F., as in the water-moderated slow type reactor, zirconium tubes enclosing cadmium or cadmium iodide in vapor and, liquid phases may be utilized, these absorbers having relatively lower boiling points; whereas for high core temperatures as are typically associated with fast breeder reactofs, the tubes may comprise tungsten enclosing cadmium oxide, cadmium bromide, cadmium chloride or cadmium fluoride in vapor and liquid phases. These absorbers having relatively higher boiling points. i

In Fig. 2 are illustrated a core and tubular containers of the same shape as in Fig. 1; however, the lower portions of the containers extend outside and below the core, and are received within a'conduit 19 fiowingfluid coolant 20 from within the core to the exterior for ultimate recirculation through the core via entrance 21. Thus the neutron absorber in liquid or solid phase at 17 receives heat produced upon neutron absorption in the core and coolant therein and transferred to that phase via the core coolant and the lower portions of the tubularcontainers, with the result that the vapor pressure of the absorber and the molecular or atomic concentration thereof in the upper portion of each tube within the core are dependent upon the core temperature, increasing as the latter rises. V

The over-all effect of the device shown in Figs. 1 and 2 upon the temperature coeflicient of reactivity of the core is to substantially increase that coefficient in the negative direction so as to make the reactor more stable in its control and operation.

I claim: l

1.. The combination, comprising a nuclear chain reactor core wherein neutrons are produced, fluid core coolant within 'the core, sealed container means entirely within the core, and a neutron absorber within said container means including a body of unvaporized absorber concentrate and absorber vapor above said body in equilibrium contact with the body surface, a first portion of the container containing the unvaporized concentrate having a volume substantially less than a second Portionof the container containing the vapor, said first portion of the container means being near the core boundary, said second portion of the container means having low neutron absorbing capacity in relation to said absorber, said body of absorber concentrate being in heat transfer relationship with the core coolant to control the absorber vapor density in response to changes in core power level and said vapor being adapted to absorb neutrons produced in the core, and said body of absorber concentrate and vapor comprising the same chemicalsubstance.

2. The invention as defined in claim l in which said concentrate comprises a halogen salt of cadmium.

3. The invention as defined in claim 1 in which said concentrate comprises cadmium.

4. The invention as defined in container means comprise vertically elongated and spaced apart tubular containers, and including insulating material covering the walls of said second portions of the containers.

5. The combination, comprising a nuclear chain reactor co re wherein neutrons are produced, a fluid core coolant discharging from within the core to the outside thereof, sealed container means including a first portion outside the core in contact with said coolant discharge and a second portionwithin the core, and a neutron absorber within said container means including a body of unvaporized absorber concentrate and absorber vapor above said body in equilibrium contact with the body surface, said first portion of the container means containing the unvaporized concentratehaving a volume substantially less than said second portion of the container ,means containing the vapor, said second portion of the container means having low neutron absorbing capacity in relation to said absorber, said body of absorber con-l centrate being in heat transfer relationship with the core coolant discharge to control the absorber vapor density in response to changes in core temperature and said vapor being adapted to absorb neutrons produced in thecore,

claim 1 in which said 6 OTHER REFERENCES Stephenson; Introduction to Nuclear Engineering, Mc- Graw-Hill, 1954; page 366.

Nucleonics, vol. '13 (No. 8, August 1955), pp. 30-33.

dated July 30, 1956, declassified March 4, 1957; 18 pages. Copy in 2()4--154.3.

ing Oflice, 1955,, pagesl00 and 105. Copy in Division 46. Proceedings of the International Conference on the Peaceful Uses of Atomic Energy, August 8-20, 1955 vol.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS New York.- Copy in Scientific Library.

Weinberg et a1 Feb. 21, 1956 e BMI-l119, US. Atomic Energy Commission document TID-5275, Research Reactors, US. Government Print- 3, pages 310, 311, 454. '}Published by United Nations, 

1. THE COMBINATION, COMPRISING A NUCLEAR CHAIN REACTOR CORE WHEREIN NEUTRONS ARE PRODUCED, FLUID CORE COOLANT WITHIN THE CORE, SEALED CONTAINER MEANS ENTIRELY WITHIN THE CORE, AND A NEUTRON ABSORBER WITHIN SAID CONTAINER MEANS INCLUDING A BODY OF UNVAPORIZED ABSORBER CONCENTRATE AND ABSORBER VAPOR ABOVE SAID BODY IN EQUILIBRIUM CONTACT WITH THE BODY SURFACE, A FIRST PORTION OF THE CONTAINER CONTAINING THE UNVAPORIZED CONCENTRATE HAVING A VOLUME SUBSTANTIALLY LESS THAN A SECOND PORTION OF THE CONTAINER CONTAINING THE VAPOR, SAID FIRST PORTION OF THE CONTAINER MEANS BEING NEAR THE CORE BOUNDARY, SAID SECOND PORTION OF THE CONTAINER MEANS HAVING LOW NEUTRON ABSORBING CAPACITY IN RELATION TO SAID ABSORBER, SAID BODY OF ABSORBER CONCENTRATE BEING IN HEAT TRANSFER RELATIONSHIP WITH THE CORE COOLANT TO CONTROL THE ABSORBER VAPOR DENSITY IN RESPONSE TO CHANGES IN CORE POWER LEVEL AND SAID VAPOR BEING ADAPTED TO ABSORB NEUTRONS PRODUCED IN THE CORE, AND SAID BODY OF ABSORBER CONCENTRATE AND VAPOR COMPRISING THE SAME CHEMICAL SUBSTANCE. 